Category Archives: Productivity

People say “I’m multi-tasking” all the time. Knowing the challenges of managing multiple demands, I believed them. Coming to understand what they meant, I tried developing my ability to multi-task. but I never got the hang of it. I mean, I would intentionally work on something first so it could be handed off to another

My computer has a curfew from 9:00 pm through the first 2 hours of the next morning. It’s not in trouble. It’s not grounded, nothing punitive at all. My self-imposed computer curfew boosts my creativity and productivity. The reasons are simple and straightforward. The restriction helps me: avoid mental clutter, because my best ideas frequently

Knowing why precedes many of the lesser questions we tend to answer first. Knowing why fuels perseverance and stick-to-itivness when we’d rather go play, take a nap, spend money, or do something fun. Why do you do what you do?

How’d THAT happen?! It was the easiest thing in the world to drop things in my inbox with the best of intentions. Things to tend to later; one, two, maybe a few at a time. How it happened, I don’t know, exactly, but with zero effort (maybe that’s the problem) it steadily filled to overflowing,

Of all the things that leave people disillusioned, jaded,even despairing, the quest for wealth seems to me to be one of the greatest offenders. The pursuit of power comes in a close second; in your mind it may be worse. Is there a healthy perspective on wealth? We work, in part, to earn money. To

As a music major at Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music in the mid 70s, (we just said Griz-boom), I had frequent contact with Chairman of the Music Department, Roger Rose. He taught several Bible classes and music classes. He scheduled student song-leaders for the school’s chapel services. He was my vocal coach,

What do I really want? – should always be whispering from the corners of our minds, urging us on to the things we truly aspire to. In a world littered with shortcuts, true gains come only as a result of discipline, most of it self-inflicted. I created this for me, but share it with you,

Several times a week I hear “I wish I had more time”. Each time, I remember a quote I had on my bedroom wall as a motivated high schooler. I like keeping my friends so I usually keep it to myself, but here it is, redesigned for your -ahem- enjoyment.

Tip: How to quickly choose between “_____ and ME” or “____and I” Most of us get the idea somewhere along the way that “I” is proper, “me” is not. As a result, we’re right about half the time. To quickly determine which to use, say or read the sentence leaving the other person out for

Quite frankly, I hate the thought of having to bounce back. From anything. But I have. I do. Life periodically introduces the unexpected. Sometimes more often than we think we’re up for. On days like that it’s good to remember: Here’s hoping you’re not called upon to bounce-back too often. But if you are, I